How to grow Kohlrabi

How to grow Kohlrabi - Description

- Although it may look like one, kohlrabi is not a root crop. The bulb is actually the stem just above soil level. It swells out into this tender, sweet tasting vegetable, which can be eaten raw or cooked.
- As a member of the cabbage family, Kohlrabi prefers cool weather.
- If the weather in your area allows, you can get a spring and an autumn crop.
- Most growth will occur in cool weather. If you can only have one crop, we recommend the autumn crop, as the rabi will grow best, and taste it's best, if it matures in cool weather.

- Kohlrabi is a member of the Cabbage Family and should not be planted in the same soil as other family members for 3-4 years.

- Select a location with full sun and a well drained soil.
- Dig to a spades depth and work plenty of compost and manure into the soil and supplement with a general purpose fertilizer to promote quick growth.
- Kohlrabi does not need a deep soil, as it is the stem that grows into a bulb.

- Kohlrabi is a fast growing crop and reaches maturity in 44-55 days.
- You should plan to harvest your spring crop before the hot summer weather sets in.
- Sow seed indoors about four to six weeks before you plan to put them outside.
- Sow in good compost in a seed tray (flat) and water well.

- For an autumn crop, directly sow seeds into the garden.
- Plan your harvest for a week or two after the first autumn frost is expected in your area.
- Sow seeds thinly 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep, in double rows 1 1/2 feet apart.
- Thin seedlings to six inches apart.

- After four to six weeks, pick out and plant the seedlings outdoors in well drained, rich soil.
- Plant 25cm separating in rows 50cm apart.
- The early crops started indoors and then transplanted outdoors will provide you with a nice crop.

- Long after hardy crops, such as Swiss Chard, succumb to the cold and freezes of late autumn, the hardy kohlrabi thrives on.
- A little snow is of little worry for this hardy plant. If extreme weather is forecast, then you can cover any remaining plants for a day or two until the temperature inches up a bit.
- There are few insect problems for this fast growing vegetable.
- Kohlrabi is generally disease free.

- The time to harvest kohlrabi is when the first stem is 2.5 cm (1 inch) in diameter.
- Kohlrabi can be continuously harvested, up until the stems are 5-9 cm (2-3 inches) in diameter. After that, your plants will be too old and too tough.
- So long as you know best when to harvest kohlrabi, you should have plants with a milder, sweeter flavour.

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